BY OJO SAMSON AYOMIDE
As preparations intensify for the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon 2026, organisers have released the official race schedule and cut-off policy, offering clarity to thousands of runners counting down to race day.
The announcement comes as part of the marathon’s final countdown, reinforcing transparency, fairness, and world-class race standards ahead of Africa’s biggest road race.
The 42km marathon will flag off at 6:30am and officially close at 12:00pm, giving runners a total race duration of six hours.
The 10km race will start at 9:30am and also close at 12:00pm.
Organisers clarified that all registered runners are free to run at their own pace within the official race window.
However, the cut-off time applies strictly to medal qualification, not participation.
Only runners who complete the full race on or before the official cut-off time will receive an official Access Bank Lagos City Marathon finisher’s medal.
To maintain fairness and integrity, runners picked up by the sweeper bus are deemed not to have completed the full race. Their bib numbers will be marked.
Organisers further noted that bibs will also be marked at the finish line after medal collection, ensuring the policy is strictly enforced.
If a runner’s bib is marked, no medal will be issued. Runners who cross the finish line after the cut-off time will receive a certificate only, not a medal.
While maintaining strict standards, organisers emphasised that the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon celebrates every runner who takes on the challenge, regardless of finishing time.